Celtics win the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery

Akash Anavarathan

Sep 25, 2015; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge (left) and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, during media day at the Boston Celtic Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics won the big prize in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, taking home the top selection, courtesy of their pick swap with the Brooklyn Nets.

It’s that time of the year again, when ping-pong balls determine the fate of NBA Franchises! The NBA Draft Lottery was tonight to determine the order of the first fourteen draft selections.

The NBA Draft is on Thursday, June 22, when teams will get to vie for the right to take this year’s top college prospects. The biggest names that teams are after right now is Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson.

After tonight’s lottery, here’s the order of the first fourteen picks:

1. Boston Celtics

2. Los Angeles Lakers

3. Philadelphia 76ers

4. Phoenix Suns

5. Sacramento Kings

6. Orlando Magic

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

8. New York Knicks

9. Dallas Mavericks

10. Sacramento Kings

11. Charlotte Hornets

12. Detroit Pistons

13. Denver Nuggets

14. Miami Heat

Danny Ainge is a wizard. He fleeced the Nets a few years ago in the Kevin Garnett trade and is still enjoying the fruits of his labor. Chew on this: His team is in the Eastern Conference Finals and they have the top overall pick in the draft. How crazy is that!? The same year that they could be competing for an NBA Title, Ainge will add another top-flight prospect for a run at the ‘ship next year. Warriors’ Joe Lacob would agree with me, Ainge is just “light-years” ahead. Now, the big question is whether they keep the pick to take someone like Fultz or Jackson, or if they try and trade it for a star like Paul George or Jimmy Butler.

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The NBA Draft is now about a month away and now that the order is set, it’s NBA Mock Draft season. We’ll continue to see where the top prospects are being mocked to, from Lonzo Ball to Markelle Fultz to Josh Jackson.

Akash Anavarathan

Growing up in the Bay Area for the past 20 years, I've been a 49er Fan since I could remember! I'm an Electrical Engineer by day, but I've always been passionate about sports and sharing those opinions. Happy to get an opportunity in Sports Writing through FanSided and NinerNoise. I'll always welcome your feedback and comments! Tweet me @akashanav and do give me a follow!